Press Release Article

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today launched a nationwide search for the agency’s first Chief Security Officer (CSO). The new position will serve as the chief executive of a newly created Security Department within the bistate agency.

The CSO will be responsible for developing, implementing, assisting, and auditing security programs across the agency, including line departments and the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD). Under the CSO’s leadership, the agency’s new Security Department will centralize the entire security structure, increase security efforts at the agency’s facilities, coordinate with other law enforcement entities, and formalize lines of responsibilities and operational and cost control over the organization.

Creating a centralized security department will remove complex internal procedures, improve security communication and responsiveness, and allow the agency to better protect the nation’s busiest airport system, maritime facilities, the PATH rail system, six tunnels and bridges between New York and New Jersey, the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, and the World Trade Center.

“After working closely with the Chertoff Group to examine our entire security operation, we concluded we can improve on our security organization by requiring greater centralization and clearer reporting responsibilities,” said Port Authority Chairman David Samson. “Today’s action begins that process by undertaking a national and immediate search to select a Chief Security Officer to work with our senior management team to build a unified, centralized security organization within the Port Authority and improve communications, supervision and accountability.”

“Every day, our facilities welcome thousands of commuters and travelers, and their security is paramount to our mission,” said Port Authority Vice Chair Scott Rechler. “I am confident the hiring of a Chief Security Officer will enable us to strengthen our lines of authority while helping our security personnel more effectively perform their duties.”

“Last year, the Port Authority safely moved 104 million airport customers, 74 million PATH riders, 121 million vehicles at our tunnels and bridges, nearly 76 million bus passengers, and 5.2 million cargo container units through our ports,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. “Developing a standalone Security Department will assist our Police Department with its daily efforts to safely protect millions of people and in our on-going efforts to reform the Police Department.”

“The Port Authority owns and operates some of the most sensitive and critical pieces of infrastructure in the world,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni. “Creating a Security Department and securing a skilled and experienced Chief Security Officer to oversee our operations are important steps we are taking to ensure the safety and security of the thousands of people who count on us every day.”

“The Chertoff Group is proud to be supporting the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as they continue to implement significant reforms to strengthen security across the region's critical trade and transportation infrastructure,” said Michael Chertoff, Chairman of The Chertoff Group. “Recruiting an experienced and highly skilled chief security executive to unify and manage this operation is an important step forward in the overall reform effort and will improve coordination, communication and accountability for all safety and security personnel.”

The search follows the unanimous approval of a resolution passed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Board of Commissioners last month to strengthen coordination and accountability across all security-related programs. The Board took its action following a confidential briefing by former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Mr. Chertoff is co-founder of the security-consulting firm, the Chertoff Group, which the Board retained in late May of 2011 to perform a top-to-bottom study of the Port Authority’s management of security and agency-wide security operations.

The Board’s resolution establishes a temporary transition team, led by Port Authority Executive Director Foye and Deputy Executive Director Baroni, to help assemble the new security division. The Chertoff Group, a global risk management and security advisory firm, will assist in the transition planning.

The position of the CSO will report to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, and will work in close coordination with other senior executives. The position will be based at the agency’s headquarters at 225 Park Avenue South in New York City.

Interested, qualified applicants should send curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter to panynj.cso@chertoffgroup.com with the title of the position in the subject header.

CONTACT:Port Authority of New York and New JerseySteve Coleman, 212 435-7777

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which does not receive tax dollars from either state, operates many of the busiest and most important transportation links in the region. This includes John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Stewart International and Teterboro airports; AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark; the George Washington Bridge and Bus Station; the Lincoln and Holland tunnels; the three bridges between Staten Island and New Jersey; the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid-transit system; Port Newark; the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal; the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island; the Brooklyn Piers/Red Hook Container Terminal; the Port Authority-Port Jersey Marine Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. The agency also owns the 16-acre World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan.